Masters of Global Health

Global Health – MG8172 (online), MG8173 (Athens, Hybrid)

Global Health Initiative
College of Health Sciences and Professions
Grover Center E118
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2359
globalhealth@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus/Hybrid; Online

Term of Entry: Fall, Spring

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Master of Global Health (MGH) prepares post-baccalaureate students to address health issues that transcend national and international borders and to engage in the global community as clinicians, researchers, managers, developers, and as policy consultants. Students develop a deep-understanding of the complexities impacting health care delivery and the necessity of working on interprofessional teams to develop community-based solutions in underserved and resource-poor communities. Students are encouraged to combine their global health studies with other disciplines to create their own concurrent focus in fields such as medicine, nursing, social work, business, international development, international communications, regional specializations (e.g. Africa, Latin America, Asia/SE Asia), and environmental studies. Students participate in ongoing interprofessional global health projects and research that address complex multi-faceted issues in resource-poor regions. This program helps students to prepare for careers that increasingly demand critical thinking, an interprofessional mindset, and international vision. At the end of the program, all students are expected to have an in depth understanding of determinants of health and illness and diverse methods of approaching health problems in settings with varied cultural, socio-economic, and political characteristics.

The MGH program is a generalist degree track. Students have the option of concentrating in areas compatible with their career goals.  

This program can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis.  Students taking the normal load of three courses per term can complete in two academic years (4 semesters).

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a broad understanding of cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental determinants of global health, global burden of disease, and health disparities.
• evaluate and navigate the cultural and ethical considerations inherent in global health contexts, especially when working with vulnerable populations.
• demonstrate the ability to design and lead a field project responding to a global health issue.

Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates with an MGH can work in a variety of settings, including: the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, non-governmental agencies working in the area of health and development, or local or national governmental agencies on health. The most commonly cited current places of employment are schools of public health, not for profit/NGOs, and other health-related educational institutions. The top-reported job duties are project management; educational services to students and/or research; clinical health services to patients or clients; research/other; consultation services to agencies or institutions; educational community organizational training; social service to patients or clients; and communications/marketing.

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/global-health/academics/masters.cfm

Admission Requirements

The selection and review process for admission into the program requires:

• Completed online application form
• Official academic record from each institution of higher learning attended
• A cover letter (no more than two pages) explaining your educational history; professional history; area of interest in global health; interest and motivation for seeking a MGH degree
• A professional statement (1000 word limit) that discusses accomplishments, career goals and objectives, and the value of the MGH degree to achieving your career goals.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic or professional background, preferably someone from a previous or current academic program or current place of employment
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in bachelor’s degree program from a regionally accredited institution or foreign institution with a degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Preferred degrees include: health fields (nursing, medicine), development studies, international studies, and anthropology. Acceptable degrees depend in part on applicants’ work experience, concentration and career goals.
• GRE scores taken within the last five years (you may be exempt if you have a professional or academic master’s or doctoral degree).
• TOEFL scores taken within the last two years from non-native English speakers. The minimum score must be 550 (legacy paper-based) or 80 (read/speak/listen=17, write=14, internet-based).

International Students

This program may not allow full-time registration on the Athens campus, and students may not be eligible for an I-20 based on admission to it. Contact the program directly to obtain further information.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 36 semester hours is required, including the completion of a capstone project.